Affirmation: The Lepidoptera Vampire Series - Book Three

By Susan Hoddy

Disabled from an unfortunate accident when she was a baby, Katelyn Goodwit has only ever had one wish in her short life, and that was to be loved by someone who cared about her.
When Katelyn meets her new carer, Susan, who is a Lepidoptera vampire healer, at the government home for disabled children in Berne, Switzerland, her life is changed forever. Katelyn experiences the love of a mother and a family for the first time in her life, and she grows up, knowing she can do anything she puts her mind to.
But nothing can prepare her for the shock of meeting her life partner and realising that fate is to take her on a very different path. Suddenly Katelyn is thrust into the world of Lepidoptera vampires, a world which holds great happiness, but also an abundance of danger and secrecy. As Katelyn experiences changes in her personal life, others in the Lepidoptera coven face their own challenges. Through tragedy and loss, they discover the importance of family and love: an affirmation of their connection and their struggle to overcome evil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Hoddy
• Release date: Feb 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648085720

Susan Hoddy

Award winning author Susan Hoddy, is a romance, and young-adult fiction writer; best known for her ‘Lepidoptera Vampire Series’ and her other novel called ‘Security’. Recently, Susan has added to her writing skills, and her new adventure is illustrated children’s books called 'The Adventures Of Georgia and Cash'. Susan was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1966, and enjoys a good chinwag with family and friends, road trips with her husband, cups of tea, day-dreaming and writing.Susan has always worked in many facets of an office during her life, but in 2012 she decided life was too short and wanted to make a start on her passion, which was writing. After acquiring her novel writing diploma from the Australian College of Journalism, she continues to create worlds where fantasy and romance exists, with her books. Keep an eye out for Susan’s new writing adventure, which is children’s first reader illustrated books.AwardsIn 2023 Susan won a Book Cover Award for The Two Axes, which is in the Legacies Academy Series.‘The Two Axes: Legacies Academy Series – Book One’ was chosen as the “Silver Winner” category by Wickham St George Book Cover Awards.In 2022 Susan won two book awards for Attraction and Awakened in The Lepidoptera Vampire Series.‘Attraction: The Lepidoptera Vampire Series – Book One’ was chosen as the “Silver Winner” in the FICTION ROMANCE category from MMH Press Book Awards.‘Awakened: The Lepidoptera Vampire Series – Book Two’ was chosen as the “Bronze Winner” in the FICTION ROMANCE category from MMH Press Book Awards.In 2019 Susan won two book awards for Attraction and Awakened in the Lepidoptera Vampire Series.‘Attraction: The Lepidoptera Vampire Series – Book One’ was chosen as the “Official Selection Winner” in the YOUNG ADULT GENERAL FICTION category from New Apple Literary Fifth Annual Indie Book Awards.‘Awakened: The Lepidoptera Vampire Series – Book Two’ was chosen as the solo “Medalist Winner” in the YOUNG ADULT GENERAL FICTION category from New Apple Literary Fifth Annual Indie Book Awards

Book preview

Prologue

SEVEN YEARS AGO

Sister Mongose, who was from the Bagnolet parish, tucked the small child into a wool-lined calico bag to keep her warm enough for her journey to the church, which was a couple of blocks away from the Gramaze mansion.

Thank you, Mr Gramaze. She will be well cared for by a loving couple we have selected for her.

I would expect nothing less, said William matter-of-factly, opening the front door for her. Good night, sister.

Good night, said Sister Mongose, nodding slightly as she walked on through.

The gates closed automatically behind her as the sister left the Gramaze property and walked quickly down the low-lit, snow covered sidewalk towards the church. With her white breath forming in front of her, she rounded the corner and Sister Mongose watched a car, which was driving on the other side of the road, pass by her, brake and then do a U-turn, screeching its wheels as it turned. Looking over her shoulder, she held onto the calico bag firmly and quickened her step, in hope of arriving safely with the child.

With metres to go until she reached the church steps, the tinted window car mounted the kerbed footpath and ploughed into the sister, which sent her shooting into the air. As she tried to hold onto the calico bag and shelter the child from any injuries, the pain she felt from the car mowing her down overwhelmed her, and the bag slipped out of her hands and dropped to the ground with a thud. As Sister Mongose’s limp, broken body laid on the pavement and her mouth filled with blood, her vision became blurred and gradually faded into black as she watched the tail lights of the vehicle drive away.

Chapter One

PRESENT DAY

Her big blue eyes opened slowly, and seven-year-old Katelyn Goodwit tried to focus on the small white pendant light shade hanging from the ornate ceiling. Silently yawning, she took a deep breath, turned her head slowly to the one side and watched through the bars of her white, wooden cot the goings on around her.

As she lay there wondering and watching in anticipation of when it would be her turn for someone to come and check on her, Katelyn’s tiny body shivered from the wet bed sheets and blankets. But the staff didn’t seem to notice that she was awake and required help. They just went about their busy daily routine, at the government funded home for disabled children in Berne, Switzerland.

Restricted to lying on her back, Katelyn stretched her right arm and hand out fully between the bars of her cot, and tried to get someone’s attention as they walked on by her.

Hey…don’t forget about me, said Katelyn.

But what came out of her mouth was a moan. Unfortunately, no one could understand what she was trying to say.

Instead, the male and female staff gently touched her outstretched hand as they walked by, and went about their daily routine of attending to the other children.

God, this is frustrating. They don’t even understand me. I might as well be dead, thought Katelyn, as she tried to move her paralysed body. Even though her mind was sharp, her muscles and body felt like they were weighted down with a piece of iron.

If there was one wish I would like granted, that would be to be taken care of by someone who loved me and cared about me. But I suppose it’s too much to ask for someone to foster me. I see so many other kids leaving with their new foster parents. But not me, humph, thought Katelyn, blinking slowly with saddened eyes.

Good morning, Katelyn. My name is Susan, and I am going to be looking after you from now on. A tall, reddish-brown haired woman stood next to the cot and smiled down at Katelyn. How are you feeling today?

Surprised, she turned her head towards the voice and smiled. Katelyn couldn’t believe someone was actually talking to her. The other staff and carers always made her feel comfortable and looked after her well, but they hardly ever spoke to Katelyn. Stretching her left hand out through the cot bars to make contact with her new carer, she made a grunting sound.

Humph, why do I bother even trying to speak. It always comes out the same, thought Katelyn, as she laid there looking up at Susan.

It must be so frustrating for you, thought Susan, holding Katelyn’s tiny hand.

Katelyn didn’t see her lips move, but she did hear Susan’s voice.

What? thought Katelyn, her eyes widening.

Today I am going to get you out of this bed, and put you into a wheelchair. I thought that you might like to go outside for some fresh air and sunlight. How does that sound to you, Katelyn? said Susan, lowering the cot rail.

I would love to. Wow, this sure is exciting, Susan. If I could jump, I would be jumping up and down with joy at the moment, thought Katelyn.

I’m glad, thought Susan. But again, her lips didn’t move.

Can you hear my thoughts? thought Katelyn, as she gulped and looked into Susan’s eyes.

But Susan didn’t bat an eyelid, nor did she answer. Instead, she pulled the wet blankets from Katelyn and helped her get ready for the day.

After breakfast, Susan lowered Katelyn gently into the wheelchair, and strapped her in.

Oh… I don’t feel too good, thought Katelyn, as she struggled to swallow her saliva and lift her head up from her chest.

Are you feeling lightheaded? Sorry, I forgot about that… it’s because you have been lying down most of your life. Your mind and body are not used to sitting upright and are trying to work out what’s going on. Give it a few minutes and the dizziness will disappear, said Susan, placing her hand on Katelyn’s sweaty forehead.

She was right, because after what seemed like a long few minutes, the dizziness stopped.

There… is that better now? asked Susan, as she felt Katelyn’s wellness return.

Yes. Thank you… you must be hearing my thoughts otherwise there is no way you would be able to guess how I am feeling, thought Katelyn, as she looked up to Susan’s face.

Again, Susan didn’t bat an eyelid, she just continued to make Katelyn comfortable.

Right… are you ready to go? asked Susan.

Yes.

Susan pushed Katelyn down a long, black and white checked tiled corridor, and as they approached the glass sliding doors to go outside, Katelyn’s eyes started to water. Her eyes weren’t accustomed to the bright sunlight, as most of her life she had spent inside. Pulling a pair of sunglasses from her jacket pocket, Susan gently placed the glasses on Katelyn’s face.

That better? asked Susan, as she knelt in front of Katelyn.

Thank you… are you sure you are not hearing my thoughts? thought Katelyn, frowning.

But again, nothing came out of Susan’s mouth.

When the glass door slid open, a gentle breeze hit Katelyn’s face for the first time. Breathing in the clean air, she loved how it made her feel alive. Looking towards the blue sky, she felt the warmth from the mid-morning sun on her face, which made her skin tingle from its warmth. She hadn’t even realised what she had been missing most of her sheltered life. Watching as something big flew above her, she cringed from the noise and expected it to fall out the sky.

What is that? thought Katelyn, looking toward the sky and then at Susan.

It’s called a plane. People fly from one place to another in them, said Susan.

Katelyn nodded and frowned at the same time, as she watched the plane fly further away from her.

Continuing to push Katelyn’s wheelchair along the grey concrete pathway and down to the beautifully manicured green lawns and gardens, which were all out in full bloom, Susan explained to Katelyn about what she was seeing in detail.

Katelyn’s eyes widened, and were mesmerised as she watched a long, narrow beaked bird flying in and out of the flowers and how the orange butterflies landed on the plants and retrieved the nectar with their tongues.

Positioning the wheelchair next to the garden bed, Susan helped Katelyn lean forward and showed her how to breathe in the wonderful perfume of the colourful flowers. As she breathed in each flower’s perfume, Katelyn’s face was full of wonderment, for she had never smelt anything so beautiful in her whole life before.

She was even fascinated by the clear water and how it cascaded over the rocks of the waterfall and landed into a blue and green rocky pond, with pink and yellow flowered lilies floating in the water below. Even the lush green grass seemed to excite her. Katelyn smiled and grunted as she took in her surroundings, and appreciated the opportunity she had been given by Susan.

Isn’t it beautiful out here? What more could we ask for? said Susan, as she pressed the brake on the wheelchair and kneeled on the ground beside Katelyn.

Looking into Susan’s eyes, Katelyn clenched her fists and tried to tell her how much she appreciated it. But her mouth only moaned.

This place is so beautiful and calming. Thank you for taking me out here today, and explaining everything. I am not used to this type of kindness, thought Katelyn, her eyes wide with appreciation.

You are most welcome, my dear, said Susan, as she looked at her watch. Soon it will be lunch time, Katelyn. We had better go on inside and see what they have made you for lunch.

Oh, Ok, thought Katelyn, wondering what type of mashed up food she would be having.

Pushing the wheelchair inside through a side sliding door, Susan entered a room Katelyn had never seen before. As she steered Katelyn over to one side of the room and stopped, Susan bent down next to Katelyn, and took off her sunglasses.

From today onwards, you will be eating your meals in here with the other children. This is called the dining room, said Susan, watching Katelyn’s reaction.

Katelyn gulped, and looked around the huge, white room, where other children, some in wheelchairs, were seated at wooden tables with white metal chairs. Each child had a bib on and was eagerly waiting for their food to be delivered by their carer. As she watched the other children interacting with one another, the noise level rose in the dining room and made Katelyn feel anxious.

Susan stood up and placed a hand on Katelyn’s shoulder for support. Let’s go choose what you are having for lunch, said Susan, as she pushed the wheelchair over towards the bain-marie.

Katelyn looked up at Susan and swallowed hard.

As they stood in line, waiting their turn, Katelyn’s senses came alive from all the different aromas of food.

Mmm, smells so good, thought Katelyn.

Susan smiled.

Not knowing what food Katelyn preferred to eat, Susan looked down at Katelyn and said, How about we get you a spoonful of each dish in the bain-maries and see which ones you like?

Katelyn smiled and nodded quickly. Sounds good, thought Katelyn, looking from Susan to the bain-maries.

Susan found an empty table on the other side of the room near a clear glass window, which had a view of a gazebo and the beautifully manicured surrounding gardens outside.

Once they were seated at the table, Susan started to show Katelyn how to eat with her hands and that she needed to chew her food instead of just swallowing it. Katelyn had always been spoon-fed previously, so she didn’t know how to eat with her hands, let alone use a fork, spoon or knife.

Susan held open Katelyn’s tiny hand and placed a matchbox sized piece of pumpkin into her palm and then closed her fingers around the food. Bringing Katelyn’s hand up to her mouth, so she could take a bite, Susan talked her through the process of eating and chewing her food. With the help of Susan, and with the determination that she wasn’t going to choke every time she placed food into her mouth, Katelyn eventually worked out how to feed herself.

Next, Susan showed Katelyn how to drink from a cup with a straw. Previously she had always been given a bottle with a teat on it to drink out of.

This sure is different to what I know and have been taught by the carers here. Why haven’t they shown me how to eat and drink this way previously? wondered Katelyn.

It may take you some time to learn how to eat and drink, but you will get used to it, said Susan, wiping down the table. I will make sure of that.

After lunch, Susan wheeled Katelyn into the bathroom and positioned her in front of a mirror, which had a basin below, to show her how dirty her face and hands were from the food she had just consumed. As Katelyn looked into the mirror and stared back at herself, the tears welled up in her blue eyes and spilled over onto her cheeks. She had never seen herself in the mirror before and with the whole day being so amazing already, she was feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.

Let’s get you cleaned up, said Susan, helping Katelyn to lean forward and place her hands under the tap.

Katelyn knew this was going to take some getting used to as she always had others bathing her previously, but she was determined to learn.

Well, from now on, every day will get better for you. I will make sure of that, my dear, said Susan, as she listened to Katelyn’s thoughts and brushed the food out of Katelyn’s shoulder length, brown, wavy hair.

Thank you…what time do you have to go home? thought Katelyn. She didn’t want the day to end.

I leave around five o’clock each day. But don’t worry, I will be back each morning around nine o’clock to share the day with you, said Susan, placing her hand on Katelyn’s shoulder.

I knew you were hearing my thoughts, thought Katelyn, smiling.

Don’t tell anyone, will you Katelyn? I want to keep this secret between you and me, thought Susan, looking at Katelyn’s reflection in the mirror.

Of course I won’t tell anyone… are you psychic? thought Katelyn.

No, I am not. But I do have special powers though, thought Susan. I will tell you about them another day. Ok?

Ok, thought Katelyn.

After her wash, Susan chose to take Katelyn to a secluded part of the property and park her wheelchair in front of a lake, under the shade of a tree. When she pulled out a book called Gulliver’s Travels out of her bag and started to read it, Katelyn’s eyes lit up with gratification.

I have never had someone read to me before. Thank you, thought Katelyn.

You are most welcome, said Susan. I can’t believe how all these simple pleasures that I take for granted, have never been given to you. You poor child. She shook her head.

When it came time for Susan to go home Katelyn thought, You are definitely coming back tomorrow, aren’t you?

Yes, I will be here tomorrow and the next day and always, if that pleases you, Katelyn, said Susan, laying her in her cot, and tucking her in.

I have really enjoyed our time together today, Susan. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Thank you for a wonderful day, thought Katelyn.

You’re welcome, dear. See you tomorrow, said Susan, looking down at Katelyn and smiling.

Bye.

As Katelyn watched Susan walk away and out the doorway, she sighed. She missed Susan’s witty company and wished it was already morning.

Weeks soon turned into months and with Susan coming to the children’s home to care for Katelyn every day, just as she had promised, they soon became good friends. Susan enjoyed helping Katelyn learn how to eat, drink and take care of herself. She also started to teach Katelyn how to pronounce letters and some words, which made life a little easier and a lot less complicated, when it came to communication.

Chapter Two

I wonder where Susan is today, thought Katelyn.

She always looked forward to seeing her each and every day. Looking at the clock on the wall, and not knowing how to tell the time, Katelyn wondered what time it was. It seemed to her that it was way past nine o’clock; the time Susan usually came to care for her. But Susan hadn’t been in to see her in the past couple of days. Instead, the other staff had cared for her each day.

Trying not to go through the ‘what if’s’ in her mind, as she sat in her wheelchair, she opened the drawer beside her single bed to get out a colouring in book and some crayons. This always seemed to soothe her when she was worried.

I hope she is coming in today, thought Katelyn.

Struggling to colour in just one picture, Katelyn gave up and threw the books and crayons on the floor.

Hey… that’s no way to treat your stuff, said Susan, as she walked into the room with the General Manager of the children’s home.

Katelyn looked up quickly and smiled as soon as she heard her voice.

Where have you been? I have been worried, thought Katelyn.

Good morning, Katelyn. Sorry I am late. But I have some exciting news for you. I have been to the district court this morning and I have applied to get custody of you. How do you feel about coming to live with me so that I can care for you at my house instead? said Susan, kneeling in front of Katelyn.

The news took Katelyn by surprise. With a smile from ear to ear and tears forming in her eyes, she couldn’t believe what Susan had just said.

What… really? Are you sure…? I would love to. Thank you, thought Katelyn.

But of course, only Susan could hear her answer and how excited she was.

Yes, I am sure, thought Susan, as she looked into Katelyn’s smiling eyes.

Katelyn started to laugh and smile. This was the only way she could communicate how happy she was to be leaving. Leaning forward, she gave Susan a hug.

Once we finalise your paperwork and pack up your gear, you are welcome to go with Susan today, if you want, said the General Manager to Katelyn.

I can’t wait, thought Katelyn, smiling.

Give us about thirty minutes to finalise everything, and then I will be ready to take you home, said Susan, standing.

I feel like the most luckiest girl in the world today. Thank you, Susan, thought Katelyn.

Susan was thrilled to be pushing the wheelchair through the glass sliding door for the last time. She had always adored and gotten on well with most children in the past and was now happy that the queen had given her the authority to fostering Katelyn. Reading Katelyn’s thoughts, Susan realised how pleased Katelyn was to be leaving the disabled children’s home, and that she couldn’t believe she was finally going to live with someone that cared about her and her welfare.

Waiting for them at the end of the sparsely snow-covered pathway was Susan’s limousine. The chauffeur opened the door as they got closer to the black car. Lifting Katelyn out of the wheelchair, Susan carried her into the car, whilst the chauffeur collapsed the wheelchair and stored it in the boot of the car with her belongings.

Thank you, thought Katelyn, as she leaned in and hugged Susan tight.

You are welcome, my dear. Hopefully I can provide a better life for you than you have had previously, said Susan, hugging her back and then placing Katelyn’s seat belt on.

Katelyn didn’t remember ever having travelled in a car before and even though Susan had reassured her that she would be all right, she still felt a bit apprehensive about the one and a half hour ride to Susan’s house.

Reading Katelyn’s thoughts and watching her reactions to the buildings and scenery flying past the car as they drove along the freeway, Susan placed her healing hand over Katelyn’s to calm her.

Thank you, thought Katelyn to Susan.

Susan smiled, and said, You’re welcome.

The car pulled up in front of a large property that had a high limestone brick fence, with electric wire fencing surrounding the top part of the limestone, and Katelyn wondered what was behind the wrought iron gates. Watching the chauffeur carefully key in the code on the key pad located outside, she jumped as the gates opened up to